A LARGE scale rollout of 14 000 electricity meters has been approved and these are expected to be installed at eThekwini houses. This is according to a report presented at the municipality’s recent full council meeting in Durban.

According to the report, 8 000 meters have been prioritised to address key service delivery requirements.

This includes rates clearance, 80/20 applications, conversions from credit to prepaid, new service applications, faulty meter replacements, and bypassed meters.

“The remaining 6 000 meters are earmarked for Human Settlements projects to address backlogs and ensure full metering coverage within housing developments. To date, approximately 1 700 meters have been deployed, comprising 1 400 meters for Human Settlements and 300 meters for general operational needs,” eThekwini Municipality said in a statement.

According to the municipality, this phased rollout ensures that priority pressure points are addressed first, while remaining aligned with resource availability and departmental implementation plans.

Also read: eThekwini Municipality extends debt relief programme

“The report for August and September indicates that 78% of meters were successfully read, while 22% were estimated due to access challenges or instances where consumers refused entry.

“For water meter readings, only 10% of meters were estimated while 90% was based on actual read meters,” read a statement.

According to the report, the water meters that were estimated was due to properties being locked, and access to meters being obstructed.

“The Revenue Management Directorate is currently issuing notifications to customers for access to their properties. Should there be no improvement, punitive tariffs will be applied to accounts not read for a period exceeding three months from the date of notification,” read the statement.

eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said at the recent media briefing held in Durban, the municipality is expecting additional meters in the course of the financial year.  

“This move will enable us to fast-track the issuing of revenue clearance certificates, address backlog in the metering of new housing developments, changeovers from credit to prepaid meters, replacement of faulty meters and bypassed meters as well as new service applications.” 

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